Midwest Living Review

Laura Billingsley

Enormous looms weave wool blankets in tartan, plaid and Nordic patterns at this mill, operating on the same spot since 1857.

The hundreds of thread bobbins at the Amana Woolen Mill feed into the looms with rapid precision. All those individual threads eventually become the cotton and wool blankets for sale at the shop. Select from a wide variety of tartans, plaids, stripes and school colors. The red Royal Stewart ($70) may be the most eye-catching, while the classic plaid is based on patterns found in the mill's archives and has a pleasantly old-fashioned look. Scarves are also cut from the finished wool pieces, and a variety of other items are available, though not all are made at the shop. If you want to see the looms in action, it's best to call ahead to learn the production schedule.